Pivoted hasp type latching device



A. LEVINE PIVOTED HASP TYPE LATCHING DEVICE Jan. 14, 195s 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5. 1956 IN VEN TOR. zaam Ley/frye,

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Jan. 14, 1958 A'. I EvlNE PIVOTED HASP TYPE LATCHING DEVICE 2 s heetsr-Sheert 2 Filed Oct. 5. 1956 IN VEN TOR.

PIVOTED HASP TYPE LATCHING DEVICE Abraham Levine, Mendham, N. J.

Application October 5, 1956, Serial No. 614,308

6 Claims. (Cl. 70-74) This invention relates to improvements in a latching device of the pivoted hasp type which is adapted for application to a receptacle of the kind having a cover or closure section which is cooperative with a body section for closing the latter, such, for example, as a suit case or the like. 4

In pivoted hasp type latching devices, as heretofore known to the art, the hasp member is mounted on one section and the keeper member on the other section of the receptacle, and the manipulatable means for releasing the hasp element from engagement by latching means carried by the keeper member is usually mounted in connection with the keeper member, below the engaging Vposition of the hasp element therewith, subject to lateral the keeper member, as mounted on the receptacle body section, is provided; this manipulatable means for releasing the hasp element being perpendicularly or longitudinally movable relative to the latching device, by manually applied downward thrust, thereby rendering the manipulatable means more conveniently accessible, and

thus facilitating the release of the hasp element, especially when the receptacle is horizontally disposedupon a support.

Another object of this invention is to provide the latching device, characterized as above stated, with key actuatable bolt means operative to lock, at will, the latching means of the keeper member against hasp element releasing movement by actuation ofA the manipulatable hasp element releasing means.

The above and other objects will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description ofan illustrative embodiment of this invention in connection with the accompanying drawings thereof, in which drawings:

`Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of'a hasp type latching device according to this invention, shown in its closed condition; Fig. 2 is a side edge elevational view of the same; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, taken on line 3-3 in Fig. 1, but drawn on an enlarged scale; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view, taken online 4 4 in Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view, similar to that of Fig. 3, but showing the hasp element released to open the latching device; and Fig. 7V is a transverse sectional view, taken on line 7--7 in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings, in which like characters United States Patent O of `reference indicate corresponding parts, theireferenco v character 10 indicates the latching device according to this invention which is adapted to be mounted on the front of a receptacle, the body section 11 and cover section 12 of which are shown by broken lines in Figs. 3 and 6.

The latching device 10 comprises a rearwardly open keeper member shell 13 which is adapted to be affixed to a front wall of the receptacle body section 11 by fastening bolts, rivets or other suitable fastening means 14. Said keeper member shell 13 is so positioned that its top end borders the margin of the open top of said receptacle body section. The latching device 10 further comprises a rearwardly open hasp member shell 1S which is adapted to be affixed to the front wall ofthe receptacle cover section 12 by fastening bolts, rivets or other suitable fastening means 16, and in such position that its bottom end borders the margin of the open underside of said receptacle cover section, and in opposition to the top end of the keeper member shell 13.

Suitably secured within the keeper member shell 13 is a longitudinally and centrally disposed frame plate 17,

of suitable width, having side walls 18, a bottom end wall 19 and a top end wall 2l); the ends of the latter being cut away to provide laterally spaced openings or passages 21 to communicate with the interior of the frame plate 17. Vertically slidable upon the inner face of the frame plate 17, between the side Walls 18 thereof, is a latch plate 22 of less length than the length of said frame plate. Any suitable means can be provided for retaining the latch plate in supported and slidable relation to the frame plate. An example of means for such purpose, as shown, comprises retaining lugs 23, which are struck from the side walls 18 of the frame plate, and inturned over the side marginal portions of the latch plate. Adjacent to its bottom end, the latch plate 22 is provided with an opening 24, from the lower margins of which extends an upwardly projecting male latch piece 25 having a chamfered free end or nose 26. The latch plate 22 is normally and yieldably disposed in an upwardly moved position, with its top end stopped against the top end wall 20 of the frame plate 17; in which position the latch piece 2S is disposed to latchingly engage the hasp element of the latching device, as will be subsequently more particularly described. To so yieldably position the latch plate 22, a thrust spring 27, of suitable form, is disposed between the bottom end of the latch plate and the bottom end wall 19 of the frame plate.

Suitably secured within the hasp member shell 15, across the open rear side thereof, is a back plate 28, which is preferably disposed in a plane coincident to that of the frame plate 17 of the keeper member shell 13, and rearwardly of the pivotal connection of a hasp element with said hasp member shell to be presently described. Vertically slidable upon the inner face of the back plate 28 is a push plate 29, the upper end portion of which exteriorly projects from the top end of the hasp member shell 15, through an opening 3i) with which the latter is provided. The upper exterior end portion of the push plate 29 can be variously shaped, as may be desired, to provide a finger engageable iinger piece. Preferably it may be shaped, as shown, to form an angularly and forwardly `projecting finger piece 31, terminating in a downwardly projecting apron 32, of suitable peripheral configuration and design, which overhangs the upper end portion of the hasp member shell 15 and the hasp element dependent therefrom, in substantially parallel plane and outwardly spaced relation to these parts. This apron 32 can, if desired, serve as a stop to limit outswinging movement of the hasp element to its released position (see Fig. 6). `The lower end portion'of the push plate 29 is bifurcated to provide a pair of dependent thrust legs 33, the same being laterally spaced apart in alignment with the openings or passages 21 in the top end of the frame plate 17 with which the keeper hierber" shell 13 is provided. The bottom end of the hasp member shell l is provided with openings 34 and the top end of the keeper member shell 13 with corresponding openings 35 through which said thrust legs 33 of the push plate Z9 project, so asv to pass through said openings or passa-ges 2linto abutment against the top end' of the normally upwardly moved latch plate 22, when the cover section l2 is closed uponkthe body section 11 of iv receptacle upon which the latehing device is operatively mounted. Struck from the push plate 29, for outward angular projection therefrom, between the thrust legs 33, is an abutment 36.- The push plate 29 is normally and yieldably disposed inanupwardly moved position, with lateral stop projections 37, with which its sides are provided, stopped against the top end wall of the hasp member shell in which position the thrust legs 33 engage the top `end of the latch plate 22, when the latter is disposed in its normal upwardly moved latching position. To so yieldably position the push plate 29, athrust spring 38, of suitable form,l is disposed between the bottom end wall of the hasp member shell l5 and said abutment 36.

Pivotally hinged to the hasp member shell l5 is a hasp element 39, which extends externally and downwardly over the front faces of said hasp member shell and the keeper member shell 13. Said pivoting or hinging connection is disposed between the upper end of the hasp element 39 and the forward portion of the upper end of the hasp member shell, and the same may be of any suitable construction which will permit the necessary in and out swinging movement of the hasp element relative to the keeper member part of the latching device. An illustrative pivoting or hinging connection, as shown, comprises a tubular hinge knuckle 40, which is formed in connection with the upper end of the hasp member shell 15, forwardly of the push plate 29. Formed in connection with the upper end of the hasp element 39 are similar tubular hinge knuckles 4l which are aligned with said hinge knuckle dll, Through the aligned hinge knuckles 40 and 4l. is engaged a hinge pin 42, thus pivotally joining the hasp element to the hasp member shell. lt is desirable that the hasp element be spring urged to an out swung released position. Illustrative of means to serve this purpose (see Fig. 5) the hinge pin 42 is provided with a portion 43 of reduced diameter, about which is engaged a helical spring 44. One arm 45 of said spring tensionally thrusts against the hasp element 39, while the other arm 46 bears against the hasp member shell l5, whereby to purchase said spring for tensional outward thrust of said arm 45 against the hasp element.

It has been above pointed out that when the push plate nger piece 31 includes the outwardly offset and hasp element overhanging apron 32, the latter can serve as a stop by which the released and out swung hasp element can be arrested, whereby to limit its outswnng position. When, however, other shapes or styles of push plate linger pieces are used, any other suitable or known means may be provided for limiting out swung movement of the released hasp element.

Projecting from the inner face of the hasp element 39 is a horizontal perforate or female latch piece 47, which, when the hasp element is closed, enters through an opening 48 with which the front wall of the keeper member shell v13 is provided for cooperation with and hasp element holding engagement by the male latch piece 25 of the latch plate 22.

In most cases it is desirable to provide the latching device with key a'ctuatable locking means operative to lock the latch plate 22. against actuation by the push plate 29 for hasp element releasing movement. For such purpose, a lock bolt 50 is supported for transverse sliding movement within an opening 51 with which the upper portion of the latch plate l22 is provided. Said lock bolt is pro- 4"" f vided with a spring arm 52 which yieldably compels the bolt t'o selectively engage positioning notches 53 and S4 thereof with a stop nosing 55 on the latch plate, whereby to determine respective retracted non-locking or advanced locking disposition of said bolt. The bolt 5t) is provided with a key engageable projection 56, and with a bolt nose 57, the latter being adapted to engage over a stationary stop projection 58, that is carried by the frame plate 17, when the bolt isadvanced: to` locking position, thus restraining the latch plate 22 against downward hasp element releasing movement.

The front wall` of the keeper member shell 13 is provided with an externally projecting hollow boss 59. Supported by and within said boss is a suitably slotted, rotatable key barrel 60, which is retained in place by a backing washer 6l that is suitably axed to the keeper member shell. Said key barrel is adapted to receive insertion therethrough of a bolt actuating key (shown by broken lines in Fig. 3). Said key is so suitably shaped that a bit thereof, when the key is turned in proper directions, will be caused to engage theprojection 56 of the bolt, whereby to advance said bolt to locking position or retract the same to non-locking position, as the case may be. The hasp element 39 is provided with an opening 62, that is adapted to permit the boss 59 of the keeper member shell 13 to project through said hasp element so as to give key access to the key barrel 6l?, when said hasp element is closed and latched to the keeper member of the latching device.

Although provision of a locking bolt means will be found to be desirable in most cases, said bolt means may be omitted in an embodiment of the latching device of this invention which is desired to provide latching effect only.

In operation of the latching device, to release the hasp element from the keepermember, assuming that the latch plate 22 is free from restraint by the key actuatable bolt means, the operator merely presses downward the push plate 29 by application of manually applied pressure to the external finger piece 31 of the latter. Downward sliding movement of the push plate thus caused, moves downwardly the thrust legs 33 thereof through the top end of the keeper member shell 13, which thrust legs thereupon transmit their downward movement to the latch plate 22; Downward movement of the latch plate 22 withdraws its male latch piece 25 from the female latch piece -47 of the hasp element 39, whereupon said hasp element is out swung by its control spring 44 to released position disengaging the keeper member, thus permitting the cover section of a receptacle, served by the latching device, `to be swung open relative to the receptacle body section.

Having now `described the invention, what is claimed 1s:

l. A latching device yof the pivoted hasp type comprising a keeper member adapted to be mounted on one of separable parts of a receptacle and a hasp member cooperative therewith and adapted to be mounted on the other 'of' said receptacle parts, said keeper member comprising a keeper member shell., a longitudinal frame plate Xed lwithin said shell between upper and lower ends thereof, a vertically Jm'ovable latch plate slidably supported by said frame plate and provided with a male latch piece, spring means to yieldably urge said latch plate upwardly to its latching position, said hasp member comprising a hasp member shell, a hasp element pivotally 'supported 'thereby to extend downwardly and externally over the "k'eeper member shell, said hasp element having a female latch piece lto enter the keeper member shell 'so-as to be r'eleasably engaged by the male latch piece of the latch 'pla'te, a vertically movable lpush plate slidablyl supported by the lhasp member 4shell and provided at its upper end with 'a nger piece projecting externally from the top end of vthe latter, and said push plate having means at `its lower vend adapted to project through opposed ends of said hasp member shell and said keeper member shell into engagement with the latch plate of the latter, whereby manually induced downward movement of said push plate is adapted to thrust said latch plate downwardly with hasp element releasing effect.

2. A latching device according to claim 1 including spring means to yieldably urge the hasp element to outswung released position, and wherein the nger piece of the push plate is provided with a forwardly offset dependent apron adapted to overhang said hasp element, whereby to be engaged by the latter so as to limit its outswung released movement.

3. A latching device according to claim 1 including a key actuatable lock bolt slidably supported by the latch plate of the keeper member, a stop projection supported by the keeper member frame plate and engageable by the lock bolt whereby to restrain hasp element releasing downward movement of the latch plate, and a key barrel rotatably supported by the keeper member shell through which a key can be entered for actuating engagement with said lock bolt.

4. A latching device of the pivoted hasp type comprising a keeper member adapted to be mounted on one of separable parts of a receptacle and a hasp member cooperative therewith and adapted to be mounted on the other of said receptacle parts, said keeper member comprising a keeper member shell, a longitudinal frame plate xed within said shell between upper and lower ends thereof, a vertically movable latch plate slidably supported by said frame plate and provided with a male latch piece, spring means to yieldably urge said latch plate upwardly to its latching position, said hasp member comprising a hasp member shell, a hasp element pivotally supported thereby to extend downwardly and externally over the keeper member shell, said hasp element having a female latch piece to enter the keeper member shell so as to be releasably engaged by the male latch piece of the latchrplate, a vertically movable push plate slidably supported by the hasp member shell and provided at its upper end with a finger piece projecting externally from the top end of the latter, thrust leg means extending from the lower end of said push plate downwardly through opposed ends of said hasp member shell and said keeper member shell into abutment against the upper end of the latch plate of the latter, whereby manually induced downward movement of said push plate is adapted to thrust the latch plate downwardly with hasp element releasing effect, spring means to yieldably urge the push plate to normal initial retracted position, spring means to yieldably urge the hasp element to outswung released position, and stop means to limit outswung movement of said hasp element.

5. A latching device according to claim 4 including a key actuated lock bolt slidably supported by and at the upper portion of the latch plate of said keeper member, a stop projection supported by the keeper member frame plate and engageable by the lock bolt, whereby to restrain hasp element releasing downward movement of the latch plate, said lock bolt and latch plate having cooperative means for yieldably holding the lock bolt selectively in locking or non-locking position, and a key barrel rotatably supported by the keeper member shell at the front thereof through which a key can be entered for actuating engagement with said lock bolt, said hasp element having an opening giving access to said key barrel.

6. A latching device according to claim 4, wherein the stop means for limiting outswung movement of the hasp element comprises a forwardly loffset apron dependent from the push plate finger piece, whereby to overhang said hasp element so as to be engageable thereby.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 979,777 LySaght Dec. 27, 1910 2,307,940 Messina Ian. 12, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 647,879 Great Britain Dec. 20, 1,950 

